The effects of plastic on our environment and ocean is well known and has resulted in a tremendous global movement against the use of the versatile material. The effects of plastic on the human body, however, is less well-known and awareness needs to be raised around this topic. Human health risks from plastics can stem from their monomeric building blocks (e.g., Bisphenol A), their additives (e.g., plasticizers) or from a combination of the two (e.g., antimicrobial polycarbonate). [1]

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BPA’s - Bisphenol A

The most notorious toxin in plastic is BPA. BPA is a human-made chemical that gives rigidity to plastics and is also used in food can linings. This prevents degradation of the metal. BPA is used in receipts to stabilize the ink. You may notice some water bottles, baby bottles and lunch box containers proudly advertising that their product is BPA free. [2] [3] Note that some BPA free products contain Bisphenol-S, which is often a more toxic phenol. BPA is a hormone disruptor and is linked to a host of health issues. [2] [3] BPA can be found in water bottles, canned foods and cash register receipts. [3]

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Phthalates
Phthalates help to make plastic softer and more pliable. Phthalates gained popularity when the plastic blood bag replaced the glass bottle that stored blood. [4] Due to the fact that the phthalate chemical is not tightly bound to the other molecules in the plastic, they easily migrate from the plastic. [4] Phthalates are endocrine disruptors and can be found in food containers, plastic toys, plastic bags and wraps. Phthalates can be present in flooring and in personal care products, such as shampoos, lotions, make-up, perfumes, etc. Note that processed foods and high fat dairy are particularly high in phthalates. [4]

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Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC
PVC releases dioxins, phthalates, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, lead, cadmium and other toxic chemicals into the environment in its production. [5] It can leech many of these harmful chemicals into the water or food that it’s being used to contain. PVC is used in plumbing pipes and electrical cable insulation as well as in the production of bottles and ATM cards. [5]

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How do these plastics get into my body?

Toxins from plastic enter the human body through various routes. Exposure to phthalates are primarily through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. [5] Frequent use of creams, hair sprays and colognes may increase your exposure. [5] An important route of phthalate exposure to note is through certain medical procedures or devices. [4] Blood bags are a common offender in this category as phthalates in the bag interact with red blood cells and leech into the blood. [4] Patients who require frequent blood transfusions, dialysis or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are being exposed to phthalates with every treatment received. [4] Particularly vulnerable groups are infants and pregnant women. [4] [5]

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BPA enters the human body mostly through foods stored in cans, water bottles, food storage containers and baby bottles. [2] [3] A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology confirms that concentrations of BPA are highest in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women of 15 - 18 week gestation. [2] Daily intake of BPA’s were higher in males than females, whilst older individuals (60+ years) had the lowest estimated intakes. [3] More research is needed to understand how prenatal exposure to BPA’s will affect our future generations. [2] [3]

Microplastics are defined as plastic particles measuring less than 5mm. Evidence has shown that microplastics have been found in human stool samples and scientists speculate that one route of exposure could be through seafood consumption. [6]

The ingestion of water contaminated with microplastics is the main exposure route for marine and freshwater species. [6] [7] In addition to contaminated water, farmed animals are often fed with fish meal products which may also be contaminated with microplastics. [6] We can thus see how easy it is for microplastics to travel up the food chain to humans.

 

Microplastics are easily inhaled from the environment. [8] There are traces of microplastics in both indoor and outdoor air.  However, the concentration indoors is far higher. [8] This could be as a result of fragmentation through heat and friction of plastic objects as well as plastic fibers released from synthetic clothing and textiles. [8]